Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for October 16

ARE YOU SEEKING AND PRAYING FOR SHALOM IN YOUR CITY?

From: October 16, 2024

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7 ESV).

Jeremiah told those who had been exiled to Babylon to “seek the welfare” of that city. In the original Hebrew, Jeremiah told them to seek the “shalom” or “peace” of the city. The word “shalom” is rich in meaning. It implies not only “peace,” but “wholeness, prosperity, happiness, blessing” and of course, “welfare.” The exiles were told to plant, build, marry, and increase, not decrease there. They were to be a blessing to the city, for in its peace they would have peace too.

Are we a blessing to the city to which we’ve been sent? If our church ceased to exist in our city, would anyone notice? In our zeal to separate ourselves from the world, we tend to gather in a holy huddle around the Light while leaving those around us in darkness. Instead, let us be a light in our city, seeking its shalom and praying for it in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, hear our prayer. For we confess that we often complain about the city to which You’ve called us. Forgive us and help us to be a blessing. Strengthen us to share Your gospel of peace until everyone in our city has heard. In Jesus’ name, amen.

ARE YOU GROWING IN LOVE?

From: October 16, 2023

“The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5 NLT).

Paul’s teaching did not have a goal of increased knowledge, but of increased love. Knowledge is good, but without love, it is nothing (1 Cor. 13:2). The believers in Ephesus loved knowledge so much that their discussions often dissolved into meaningless and endless debates over disputable matters. Paul encouraged Timothy not to scratch their itch for such things, but to focus on instruction that affected the heart, the conscience and built up a genuine faith. In this way, love would be the ultimate outcome.

We can learn from Paul’s purpose for instruction. Our preaching and teaching must have as its aim that believers examine their hearts, repent of sin to clear their conscience and grow in their faith, so that it is proven genuine. This kind of instruction leads to believers who are filled with love.

We must teach unto repentance and life change, not only increased knowledge, but increased love.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we love learning more about You and Your Word, but help us not only to have more head knowledge but true heart change. Fill us with love for You and for one another. For this is the mark of being Your children. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5 NLT).

From: October 16, 2022

PAUL’S PURPOSE FOR INSTRUCTING BELIEVERS: LOVE

Paul’s teaching did not have a goal of increased knowledge, but of increased love. Knowledge is good, but without love, it is nothing (1 Cor. 13:2). The believers in Ephesus loved knowledge so much that their discussions often dissolved into meaningless and endless debates over disputable matters. Paul encouraged Timothy not to scratch their itch for such things, but to focus on instruction that affected the heart, the conscience, and built up a genuine faith. In this way, love would be the ultimate outcome.

We can learn from Paul’s purpose for instruction. Our preaching and teaching must have as its aim that believers examine their hearts, repent of sin to clear their conscience and grow in their faith, so that it is proven genuine by love. This kind of instruction leads to believers who are filled with love.

Are you growing in love? Being filled with love is the evidence that we are truly hearing and applying God’s Word to our lives.

PRAYER: Dear Father, open our ears and our hearts to truly hear Your Word today. Fill our hearts afresh with Your love and Spirit. Show us the way to walk in Your love today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 HCSB).

From: October 16, 2021

DO YOUR PRAYERS FIND THEIR WAY TO THE LORD?

The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter of hope to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. He gave them this message from the Lord, assuring them that the Lord had not forsaken them, nor had He stopped hearing their prayers. If only they would seek Him with all their hearts, they would find Him, even while living in Babylon.

Do you ever wonder whether your prayers are finding their way to the Lord? Perhaps you feel like an exile in a foreign land at times. Surrounded by worldly people and worldly concerns, you wonder where God is? You cry out, but you don’t hear an answer.

We sometimes think God won’t hear us because we are in the wrong place. If only we were in the right place, maybe then He would hear us. If only we were in Jerusalem instead of Babylon, maybe then God would hear. Yet God cares more for the placement of your heart. Where’s your heart today?

Stop seeking the answer and start seeking the Lord. Ask Him to examine your heart. Pray it empty of its anxious thoughts. Take every thought captive to obey Christ. Seek the Lord’s face and you’ll find that His hands are already there sustaining you. And when you thought you were seeking to find Him, you’ll discover that it was the Lord who actually found you.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we seek Your face today. Speak Lord, for your servants are listening. Lead, guide and direct us by Your Spirit. Examine our hearts that we might seek You wholeheartedly. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV).

From: October 16, 2020

DO YOUR PRAYERS FIND THEIR WAY TO THE LORD?

The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter of hope to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. He gave them this message from the Lord, assuring them that the Lord had not forsaken them, nor had He stopped hearing their prayers. If only they would seek Him with all their hearts, they would find Him, even while living in Babylon.

Do you ever wonder whether your prayers are finding their way to the Lord? Perhaps you feel like an exile in a foreign land at times. Surrounded by worldly people and worldly concerns, you wonder where God is? You cry out, but you don’t hear an answer.

We sometimes think God won’t hear us because we are in the wrong place. If only we were in the right place, maybe then He would hear us. If only we were in Jerusalem instead of Babylon, maybe then God would hear. Yet God cares more for the placement of your heart. Where’s your heart today?

Stop seeking the answer and start seeking the Lord. Ask Him to examine your heart. Pray it empty of its anxious thoughts. Take every thought captive to obey Christ. Seek the Lord’s face and you’ll find that His hands are already there sustaining you.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we seek Your face today. Speak Lord, for your servants are listening. Lead, guide and direct us by Your Spirit. Examine our hearts that we might seek You wholeheartedly. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“We know that the law is good when used correctly” (1 Timothy 1:8 NLT).

From: October 16, 2019

THE LAW IS GOOD WHEN USED CORRECTLY

Paul taught Timothy the importance of guarding the gospel against those who would misuse the law, claiming its necessity for salvation. Human effort at law-keeping does not save, only believing the gospel saves. Those that teach law-keeping as a means of salvation are not using the law “correctly.” Yet, the law is not useless when used rightly. In fact, there are at least three right uses of the Law:  

The Law is to… (3 “R”s – Gal. 3:19-26)  

1. Restrain our sinful behavior (Like a guard rail). 

2. Reflect our guilt (Like a mirror). 

3. Reveal God’s righteous way (Like a teacher). 

The law is useful when “used correctly,” but only faith in Christ saves.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that the way of salvation is by grace through faith and not of any works of our own. For the Law has no power to save us. Help us to always live under grace and not under Law. We love You, Lord! In Jesus’ name, amen.

“The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5 NLT).

From: October 16, 2018

PAUL’S PURPOSE FOR INSTRUCTING BELIEVERS

Paul’s teaching did not have a goal of increased knowledge, but of increased love. Knowledge is good, but without love, it is nothing (1 Cor. 13:2). The believers in Ephesus loved knowledge so much that their discussions often dissolved into meaningless and endless debates over disputable matters. Paul encouraged Timothy not to scratch their itch for such things, but to focus on instruction that affected the heart, the conscience and built up a genuine faith. In this way, love would be the ultimate outcome.

We can learn from Paul’s purpose for instruction. Our preaching and teaching must have as its aim that believers examine their hearts, repent of sin to clear their conscience and grow in their faith, so that it is proven genuine. This kind of instruction leads to believers who are filled with love.

We preach unto repentance and life change, not only increased knowledge, but increased love.

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” (1 Timothy 1:12 NKJV).

From: October 16, 2017

The apostle Paul was thankful to the Lord Jesus for changing him from a persecutor to a preacher. He spoke of the Lord’s enablement— that it was the Lord who empowered him to preach. He spoke of his calling— that it was the Lord who “counted” him worthy. In other words, Paul wasn’t really worthy. He wasn’t really “faithful.” But the Lord counted his confession of faith as righteousness. The Lord’s faithfulness was accounted unto Paul, so that it became Paul’s faithfulness. Finally, the Lord “put” Paul into ministry. The Lord had a specific purpose and place for Paul. And Paul was pleased and thankful to fulfill it.

I join the apostle Paul in thankfulness on this Monday morning. I am thankful to Jesus that he enables me, counts me faithful and that he put me into the ministry.

Want to join me and Paul in some Monday morning thankfulness today?

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)

From: October 16, 2016

This was the word of the Lord that Jeremiah prophesied for those Jews exiled in Babylon. They had lost hope because God had allowed them to be carried off from their homes to a strange land. Jeremiah encouraged them to call upon the Lord and not to despair of God’s goodness towards them. Sometimes we are like exiles. We feel that God has forsaken us and we fall into despair. Yet, God’s Word reminds us not to give up hope. For the Lord has an ultimate plan. It may lead through a season of darkness, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t despair. Call upon the Lord and He will hear you.

“And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7 NKJV)

From: October 16, 2015

Jeremiah told those who had been exiled to Babylon to “seek the peace” of that city. They were to seek “peace” (Hebrew: “shalom” – wholeness, peace, prosperity, happiness, blessing). They were to plant, build, marry, and increase, not decrease there. They were to be a blessing to the city, for in “its peace” they would have peace too. Are we a blessing to the city to which we’ve been sent? If our church ceased to exist in our city, would anyone notice? In our zeal to separate ourselves from the world, we tend to gather in a holy huddle around the Light while leaving those around us in darkness. Instead, let us be a light in our city, seeking its shalom in Jesus’ name.